plate no. 4376

Yellow Spectrum

Frantisek Kupka, 1907

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)self-portraitportraitfigurechairscarfbookindoor

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students understand color temperature and how to create form using blocks of color. It also provides practice in capturing a likeness with simplified shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, chair, and background.
step 02
Block in the large areas of color, starting with the background orange.
step 03
Establish the main values within each color area, using lighter and darker shades of orange and yellow.
step 04
Add the secondary colors like the pinks and greens in the face, and the red-orange of the scarf.
step 05
Refine the shapes and edges of the figure and chair, paying attention to the angles and proportions.
step 06
Add details such as the book in the figure's hands and the texture of the chair.
step 07
Adjust the colors and values as needed to create a sense of depth and dimension.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to bring the painting to life.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · cadmium orange · titanium white

secondary · alizarin crimson · viridian green · raw umber

Mix various shades of orange by combining cadmium orange with yellow ochre and titanium white. Use alizarin crimson to create the pink tones in the face. Muted greens can be made by mixing viridian green with raw umber.

techniques